WILMINGTON, N. C., April 22, 1861.
Brigadier-General REAUREGARD
………………..Commanding Provisional Army, Charleston, S. C.
MY DEAR GENERAL: I find myself installed here in command of the defenses of Cape Fear; to be sure, by commission from the governor, but in a babel of confusion, to which Morris Island and Charleston Harbor were child’s play. Without having had the advantage of you for my exemplar during the past six trying weeks, I would be utterly at a loss. The worst is I have nothing to work with. Can you not cause to be sent me a few hundred fuses for the 8-inch shells? We have shells enough here at the railroad depot; also, some boxes of friction tubes with lanyards. Besides, I desire very much the sponge staves and various implements belonging to the guns you have lent us. This would be a great favor.
I have started all the ladies to making cartridge bags and sand bags, and that keeps their little hearts quiet. I want Gomez to send me drawings of the columbiad platform and carriage, and of the 32 and 24 pounder carriage barbette. Please to examine whether it is possible to spare us one hundred pounds of 24-grape. We have the arsenal to-clay. Would Allston (Ben.) come over here with me? My kindest regards to all.
……………Very truly, yours,
W. H. C. WHITING.
P. S.–I try to be as cool and patient as you are, but it is awful hard work. They are military in South Carolina. Here they are willing enough, but the military has yet to grow.